HOK’s Seattle Studio

HOK’s Seattle studio captures the beauty and energy of the Pacific Northwest while creating a welcoming, flexible and sustainable workplace.

Located in the 1200 Fifth Building, formerly the IBM Building, the space pays tribute to architect Minoru Yamasaki’s landmark design. Inside, original exposed waffle-slab ceilings highlight the building’s elegant structure, while concrete floors celebrate its history and help reduce the buildout’s carbon footprint.

Floor patterns echoing the region’s topography lead visitors from the elevator lobby to the office entry. A digitally fabricated wood and Corian welcome desk, inspired by the Puget Sound’s shipbuilding legacy, anchors the gathering spaces and reflects the firm’s dedication to modern craft. This inviting area connects seamlessly to a seating lounge, workplace kitchen and core conference room.

This versatile hospitality zone forms the heart of the new office, featuring warm wood and plaster finishes. The space includes a kitchen, lobby and large conference room that can open for bigger meetings and social gatherings. On the west side, unique social spaces like a cozy living room with soft seating, ambient lighting and a bar cart offer comfortable spots to connect. Team rooms with reconfigurable furniture and whiteboard and pin-up walls provide flexibility for collaboration.

Adding energy and personality to the space, a vibrant mural designed by HOK’s team and hand-painted by staff greets guests at the entrance. Throughout the studio, cultural “Easter eggs” celebrate the Pacific Northwest, from meeting rooms named after iconic hiking trails to wallcoverings featuring local legends like Bigfoot and the Kraken.

The open, column-free workspace fosters inclusivity and adaptability, offering a range of environments to support different workstyles and needs. With 72 individual workstations and collaboration areas, the studio provides a variety of options, from focused desks to more relaxed meeting spaces. Sit-stand desks are grouped in hubs to allow for flexibility as teams and workstyles evolve, ensuring everyone can find a setup that works best for them.

Biophilic design elements enhance health and well-being, combining natural textures with varied ceiling heights, thoughtfully placed lighting and sound-absorbing materials to support different types of work. Perched on the fifth floor, the space overlooks the tree canopy and brings the outdoors in with live greenery, natural light and sweeping views that create a vibrant yet calming atmosphere. The studio, which is targeting LEED Gold certification, seamlessly blends sustainable design with the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.